Hi ! could some one tell me what the load capacity of the original Japanese Vixen Polaris mount is ? This is the early 1980's type - prior to the GP or SP versions.Is it equal to todays EQ3 / Skyview / Astroview versions or more in the CG-4 [?] or EQ-5 load capacity. I have the opportunity to buy one in excellent condition for my Orion ED100 [ visual use only ]. Thanks for any info.

[It would be great if there was a 'quick reference' chart with all the 'mount equivalents' / load capitities / recomended scope sizes etc. of the well know mounts - past and present - as it does seem this is a very common question - is there such a chart ? ]

Thanks for the info. One thing it is and that is very well made. The build quality and finish is excellent and both axis movements are ultra smooth. One improvement would be wooden legs as this has [ non original ? ] aluminium ones which detract from it. I will get it as it is above the current EQ3 Chinese type clones when it comes to quality.With the ED80 [down size !] on top it will make a good 'quick look' scope.

Nice mount. I bought the Celstron 6 inch f/5 on the Polaris mount back about 1984. The weak spot is the cast altitude adjusting bracket. Over time mine bent almost to the horizontal, and that was only with the weights that came with the 6 inch. Too bad, because the mount is very well made. So, do like Roger says and use small telescopes!

I really like my old Polaris and it is a fine well made and stable mount. I use it for my Nighthawk II and even with a hefty Nagler or a camera it is very stable. I would not go heavier than a 5" SCT or a short 4" refractor though. I would consider the Polaris as at least as stable as an EQ3.

Hi JohnI noticed that you own a Celestron /Vixen newtonianI just purchased one and the primary is in need of a good cleaning. Can you please tell me how to remove the primary ? Do you have to remove the rear tube ring ?Thanks for any helpClear skies,Dan

It's important to note that the original Polaris mount can handle additional weight when used in the Alt-Az configuration. It works amazingly well for my SV115T which is an 11 pound scope plus the rings and dovetail bring it to about 13 pounds.

Here is a link to one of my posts where I have a picture of the scope on the mount - about half way down the post:

I load my l989 era Polaris with up from 11 to 14 pounds with my Brandon 94, scope rings, custom dovetail, and large 2" eyepieces not counting the 14 pounds of counterweights and CG-5 counterweight bar. With the Unitron legs which were available from Vernonscope in the late 80's and a JMI motofocus damping time is under 3 sec., as long as I don't bump the scope. Changing eyepieces or messing with the coarse focus sets up a longer settle down time. I have read in the classic scope forum that the Polaris and SP have identical load capacity. The SP redesign was primarily to enable dual axis drive. The gearing and bearing areas are about the same. I recently scored an aftermarket Dec drive also from JMI which was available when the mount was more currentClear skiesGlenn

I am wondering if anyone has any experience overloading a vixen polaris mount. I have an 8" f6 dob and am considering (despite common sense) mounting the OTA on a VP mount to try some short exposure AP. The last poster stated that he had put 14 pounds on a VP and didn't note any ill-effects on the mount, so I am wondering if mounting my 20 lb OTA will actually damage the mount, or if it will simply result in a longer time for vibrations to stop.

I just purchased one off of Craigslist for $50. The 4" f/9.8 refractor works perfectly with it. I bought some wooden legs from Hands on Optics for $89 shipped. All together they are very sturdy as a team. I use to have a Celestron 4" f/9.8 refractor on a Super Polaris mount 20 years ago. This Polaris mount with the wooden legs and 4" refractor looks and feels like the older scope setup.

I also have a GP and it's marginal for the 9.25 even for visual. I don't think the Polaris has the same worm wheel diameters as the GP - the axes are noticeably smaller. Although I didn't take apart my Polaris before selling it.

Attached Files

The C8 is really light- remember, it can go on a Universal Astronomics Unistar mount, which is quite dainty compared to the Vixen Polaris.

I modified mine to accept a CG-4 drive system. The Dec axis required a tab to attach the motor to, but has an angled part which makes this easy. The RA was substantially more difficult because the CG-4 has 130 worm wheel teeth and the Vixen has 144. So, I had to find some gears to gear up at 11:10 ratio. I found them at a site selling robot parts. It works quite well, though I had to find stickers to invert the N and S on the drive controller.

Today I put the Vixen Polaris mount in alt-az.mode and took off the 6 lb.counterweight. It is so easy to carry now with my 4" f/9.8 refractor. The scope can easily rotate 360-degrees which saves on your back from lifting the entire scope when viewing something else. Very nice to observe while relaxing in a chair.